By TEA President Tanya T. Coats

Every New Year brings with it a simple but powerful idea: we can begin again. We can take stock of who we are, where we’re headed, and what we need to do to build the future our children deserve. As I look toward 2026, I feel that sense of renewed purpose…not only for Tennessee’s public schools but for the strength and unity of our Association.

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This moment calls for fresh intention. And like many of you, I find inspiration in music. Natasha Bedingfield says, “Today is where your book begins. The rest is still unwritten.” That lyric rings true for Tennessee. The story of our schools—and the story of TEA—is still being written, and every educator has a hand in shaping the next chapter.

My resolutions for the new year center around the Four Rs: relationships, respect, resources, and retention. These aren’t slogans. They are the foundation of strong schools and a strong Association.

RELATIONSHIPS. The strength of public education has always come from people: educators, families, students, and communities working together. This year, TEA will continue building deeper connections: member to member, local to local, and community to school. Strong relationships fuel strong advocacy and shared purpose.

RESPECT. Tennessee educators continue to show resilience, creativity, and leadership. Respecting that expertise means trusting teachers’ professional judgment and ensuring their voices guide decisions at every level. In 2026, TEA will keep pushing to ensure respect for educators is reflected in both policy and practice.

RESOURCES. Resolutions require more than good intentions; they need support behind them. Students deserve well-resourced classrooms, and TEA members deserve the tools and training that strengthen their leadership and advocacy. When we invest in our educators and in our Association, we build lasting progress.

RETENTION. Keeping great educators in the profession is essential to stability for students and schools. Retention is also an Association priority. When early-career educators experience mentorship, belonging, and leadership opportunities within TEA, they stay—and they thrive. This year, we will continue creating space for new leaders to grow.

As we step into 2026, I am hopeful. I see educators doing extraordinary work every day. I see TEA members standing together, organizing, and lifting one another up. And I see a state preparing to make major decisions that will shape our profession and our classrooms for years to come.

Let’s make this the year we write a story worthy of our students and each other: a story rooted in relationships, respect, resources, and retention. Together, we can make 2026 a year of renewed strength for Tennessee’s public schools and a year of renewed strength for TEA.

The page is blank. The pen is in our hands. Let’s begin.

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